Daniel Webster College Aviation Chair Phil Poynor
earns Master CFI designation for 5th time
One of only three NH aviation educators with this prestigious “Master” title

April 27, 2005 -- (Nashua) Daniel Webster College (DWC) and The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) recently announced a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of DWC aviation chair Phil Poynor, the 2001 National CFI of the Year and a resident of Nashua, NH.  Recently, Poynor’s Master CFI designation was renewed for the 5th time by NAFI, his professional aviation organization.

To put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are about 85,000 CFIs in the country; fewer than 500 of them have achieved this distinction thus far. The last 10 national Flight Instructors of the Year -- including Poynor -- were Master CFIs. Poynor is one of only three New Hampshire aviation educators who has earned this prestigious "Master" title. Additionally, only three people have been designated Master CFI five times.

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA that is earned by candidates through a rigorous process of continuing education and peer review. The Master Instructor designation is a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators, those "Teachers of Flight," who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community.  

Earning this designation is tantamount to having the words summa cum laude emblazoned on an instructor's certificate. These Masters truly represent the crème de la crème of the aviation industry. To publicly recognize these individuals and their noteworthy accomplishments, NAFI is hosting its "Meet the Masters" breakfasts, to which Phil Poynor will be invited, during EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland. 

Poynor is a member of the Board of Directors, National Association of Flight Instructors, as well as a safety counselor for the FAA’s Portland FSDO.

NAFI is dedicated to providing support and recognition for America's aviation educators while helping them raise and maintain their level of professionalism.  It is also committed to providing a safe and effective learning environment for student pilots.  The Association was founded in 1967 and affiliated with EAA in 1995.

Daniel Webster College, founded in 1965, educates purposeful men and women for professional entry, advancement, and advanced studies in the fields of aviation, computer science, management, social science and engineering. Students prepare through residential and continuing studies programs that emphasize the integration of theory and practice through interactive teaching and learning in the professional and liberal studies.

Daniel Webster College's flight training program (professional pilot) is approved under the guidelines of federal Aviation Regulation Parts 141 and 61, and all instructors are Certified Flight Instructors. DWC's air traffic management major is one of only 13 academic programs recognized by the FAA as part of its Collegiate Training Initiative. For more information about Daniel Webster College, visit www.dwc.edu or call 603-577-6000.